Birchbox May came in the standard draw-like box, with a palm tree leaf design, which matches the “preparation for summer” or the “say aloha to the first signs of summer” theme as they called it. As much as I love the “Palm Leaves and Warm Breeze” mood, there was something about this box that made me think it was on the uglier side. Is it just me?

Nevertheless, the products contained were actually excellent for Birchbox standards! Birchbox is usually my least favourite beauty box, as it often contains sample sized products of low quality. However, this month the products contained were interesting and actually good when used.

This month’s box contained 5 products, as always, of which none were full size but most were travel size. The products were, as seen in the picture, from left to right: a body wash, a makeup remover oil, a lip stain, a deodorant and a hair conditioner.

Let’s have a look at the products in more detail. Bear in mind that these are my personal opinions and that beauty is a very personal thing, we all have different skin, requirements and biological build which can influence things. What worked for me might not work for you and vice versa, please leave your comments below!

Greenfrog Botanic Geranium & Peppermint Botanical Bodywash

Travel sized body washes are so useful during the holiday season, so I was quite happy to receive this item, which was apparently the Editor’s choice in the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2017.

It is a natural body wash which smells like sweet lemon, even though it’s meant to be geranium and peppermint, but it is pleasant to use. It’s meant to be a relaxing scent but to me it’s more of an awakening one. Nevertheless, it washes well and feels nice on the skin without leaving any residues behind and while maintaining the skin’s pH.

The formula is cruelty free, palm oil free, doesn’t contain parabens, SLS, ALS, is vegan and it contains some organic ingredients, including Aloe Vera. The Birchbox leaflet states that this product is great for sensitive skin, eczema and psoriasis. There are some ingredients however, that are known to be sensitisers so if you have sensitive skin try a bit of it first at the back of your hand.

This shower gel lasts for 12M and is dermatologically tested. SCORE = 8/10

Caudalie Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil

I love the fact that Caudalie is a couple based company and that they are basing their formulations on grape extracts. However, most of Caudalie products I’ve tried I actually really disliked, all for their non-pleasant smells.

However, this makeup removing oil didn’t smell bad at all. It has a very subtle oil type of smell which is fine. It was neither pleasant or unpleasant, just oily.

You are meant to use this oil over a face of make-up to help dissolve it up and then rinse your the face. I actually like these type of, what I call, pre-cleaning products as they can help get most of the makeup out.

This oil worked really well for me. It was very easy to slide around and apply on the face and it helped “melt” and get out a good amount of makeup. However, you will still need to use another product afterwards, this is not the type of cleanser that you will use to end up with a squeaky clean face. It’s more of a helper to make the process of removing makeup faster.

I love that it comes with a pump, it’s very practical and although the packaging is not particularly beautiful, it looks like a cleansing type of product and that’s all you can expect.

This product does not contain any parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oil, phthalates, SLS or ingredients of animal origin. It contains some interesting ingredients such as vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, sweet almond oil and grape seed oil and it lasts 6M.

I though that it was a pretty good makeup remover helper and I actually liked it better than the solid oil or wax type of products as you don’t even need to warm it up, it’s pretty much ready to be used. SCORE = 9/10

Doucce Luscious Lip Stain in Amber Rose

As a Birchbox VIP I got to choose the colour of this lipstain between Steaming Red or Amber Rose. As much as I am an absolute lover of red lipsticks, I thought I should go for an easier colour to wear, just this time, and so I chose the Amber Rose.

If you read any of my previous posts you will know that I am not a liquid lipstick fan, as I have dry lips and hate the drying effect of liquid lipsticks. I also think that there is still a lot of formulation improvements that need to be done and that liquid lipsticks in general are not as good as I would expect.

This liquid lipstick wasn’t any different. It stayed on for hours but came of when eating or drinking, which in my opinion beats the point of a liquid lipstick. If it’s not going to be “flawless” then why not just wear a normal lipstick and avoid the drying effect?

Nevertheless, I loved the Amber Rose colour and I love how smoothly it applied. It wasn’t streaky and it felt lightweight on the lips. It wasn’t as drying as most liquid lipsticks but neither moisturising.

I also loved the tiny little lipstick packaging. I’m not often a fan of small sized cosmetics but this one is super cute and incredibly travel friendly.

This liquid lipstick has a very subtle but sweet cosmetic smell which is pleasant and the wand is standard.

All and all I though that this liquid lipstick was good and as long as you don’t eat or drink, it is completely transfer proof. SCORE = 8/10

Native Unearthed Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Balm

Natural, paste type of deodorants are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are becoming convinced that deodorants are linked to breast cancer. As a Dr in Chemistry I can tell you that there is no proof of that and even if deodorants did somehow cause/or are involved with causing breast cancer, we do not know which ingredient or combinations are the ones responsible, meaning that even your natural deodorant might be giving you that effect too.

Nevertheless, I can understand that sometimes, even without scientific proof, what you might want is the peace of mind. That’s definitely why I use some of these type of deodorants but also because I actually find them more effective, smell-wise, perhaps because they are often thick pastes.

This deodorant also worked well for me. It kept me smell free all day and it was easy to use.

The heavy glass packaging and simple appearance doesn’t make it particularly attractive however, it works well, feels smooth on the skin and smells refreshingly like lemon. Why do all cosmetic products smell like lemon these days?!

There are only 7 ingredients in it which are not suspected for anything bad, at least for now, so you can definitely have that peace of mind while using this product.

This small glass jar is travel size but the full size product also comes in a jar which is not very practical or convenient. There are other natural deodorants that come as a stick which is definitely easier to use. SCORE = 8/10

Luseta Beauty Keratin Smooth Conditioner

Is it just me or do you also hate getting a conditioner or shampoo without it’s partner? How can you judge the full experience without the other? You can of course use them separately but sometimes, ok rarely, the two formulations can compliment each other.

Anyhow, I actually enjoyed using this conditioner. I really loved the smell as it is sweet and cosmetic and it feels soft on the hair. It’s very easy to apply and it washes out easily too.

It looks like a standard white conditioner cream and it comes in a standard plastic tube. The tube is very simple in design but I somehow really likes the brown with golden writing. It looks summery and that excites me.

It lasts 12M and contains some interesting ingredients such as hydrolysed keratin, hydrolysed corn protein and hydrolysed soy protein. These and the rest of the ingredients are meant to strengthen your hair and lock in moisture and elasticity.

My hair felt nice afterwards but not any more special than other good conditioners and even though some of the above mentioned ingredients are good, this is not the most nutritious conditioner I’ve seen or tried. SCORE = 8/10

Overall, I though that this month’s Birchbox was very good. I enjoyed all the products contained and it felt like a much higher quality box than normal. I hope Birchbox keeps this up and doesn’t go back to the all drugstore, sample size boxes that they usually do.

It depends. The Dermalogica one is good enough that I don’t have to. But I’ve tried Mac’s and that doesn’t remove all my eye makeup at all – there are huge streaks down my face. The Body Shop Chamomile one is really good at removing all my makeup but it leaves a film of oil behind that is just gross. I like to use them because it gets me in the habit of double cleansing at night and I’ve seen a difference in my skin since I’ve started – I’ve had far less breakouts and it looks brighter.